WATCH: JesusBaby keeping the faith
Jabulani ‘JesusBaby’ Nkosi is a cashier at the Total Glen 1 garage in Gleneagles and is an award-winning musician. Here is his heart-warming story.
JABULANI Nkosi (32) is an award-winning musician, popularly known by his stage name JesusBaby and was nominated by a few people in the community as a local hero. We met with Jabu to speak about his life and career.
Some background into Jabu’s early life and career
Jabu was born in Standerton, Mpumalanga and relocated to Soweto when he was in Grade 12 to finish matric and further his studies. With the brave choice of moving to Soweto, Jabu lived with his family and completed matric.
After matric, Jabu worked in retail around Gauteng for about five years and again in retail dealing in pharmaceuticals for another five years. With his hard work and long hours, Jabu successfully managed to purchase his own car which he is very proud of. Having worked long and hard for this great achievement, it seemed like life was looking up for the diligent worker. After purchasing his car, Jabu was offered a better position in sales and marketing. At this point, things seemed to be looking up.
About two weeks into his new job, Jabu’s pride and joy, his car, was stolen at the Alberton City Mall. Sadly, his new job only lasted him about three months. As a team leader, he could not rely on his team to get around although he was still wanted on the team.
“With no car I found it difficult to find a job, especially in sales and marketing where you need a vehicle. I spent about a year and two months after that seeking employment but in the interim I assisted a lady to transport children to school in Soweto,” said Jabu.
Jabu assisted with transport for about five months at his own expense before his apostle, Edson Sadialunda, informed him of the vacancy at the Total Glen 1 garage in 2015.
A voice for radio
Everyone who has met Jabu can confirm that he indeed has a voice for radio. If you walk into the store when Jabu is on duty you will experience his attitude for yourself. We established that Jabu was in fact a radio presenter at West Side FM radio station in Krugersdorp. Doing this voluntarily for a year and six months, Jabu could not stay on board as travelling costs became too much as he also had a full time job and was still trying to keep his passion for music alive.
“I could not find the time and strength to do all of the work anymore. I sacrificed a lot travelling to help out the radio station but I could no longer do it. So I decided to focus on my paying job and my music career,” explained Jabu.
Making music for the soul, from the heart
“Music is my passion, my life, my sweetheart, it’s in my blood,” said Jabu with a spring in his step and a spark in his voice.
Jabu has been singing since the tender age of seven and started off singing at Sunday school and in the church choir at Jireh Worship Centre in Meadowlands, Soweto. At the age of 11 he learned how to play the trombone. He then realised the potential of his creativity through the instrument.
“I continued singing in high school in the choir and was part of the lead trio till the age of 19 when I matriculated. I still sang for about seven years at my church in Joburg. I was part of a family choir of about five people and we entered a competition in 2012. There were 132 choirs from different places who all competed and we composed our own song and came second,” said Jabu.
After the competition Jabu felt confident in his ability to make music and knew that he could do it on his own. Edson, his apostle, helped him make his first album in 2013 which was called Sing Glory. Jabu removed this album from being available to the public as it was not marketed and promoted well. Three years later JesusBaby made his second album called My Victory, which he said made him the person he is today. Although it’s not yet available in stores, physical copies are available from Jabu.
In August 2017 My Victory was nominated by the public for the best praise album at the Ingoma Awards. He did not win but did not lose hope either. He heard about the Gauteng Gospel Music Awards and registered for best praise album and won.
“The category was a powerful one and I was honoured to have won. I saw the favour of God in my life and because of this I know there will be many opportunities in the future. There have been a few people approaching me for deals but I cannot afford promoters or marketers,” explained Jabu, who is currently working on three songs which are set to be released at the end of March.
The musician now plans on entering the Crown Gospel Music Awards, which is a national awards ceremony. JesusBaby will not only be representing Gauteng but South Africa as well.
Working as a cashier
“I love making customers smile because I enjoy socialising and some of them make me sing for them. I see my job as my ministry and I can make the toughest people smile. We work 12-hour shifts but I try to never change my character. Even when I am feeling down, I just pray and feel happy through my prayer,” said Jabu.
The artist is now a leader at his church and is looking for a team that will work with him to help build his foundations in marketing and promoting. He spoke of how he has learned a lot and been through many challenges, one of which was when his cousin stole all his studio equipment in 2014. This was also a major setback.
Jabu’s manager at the Total Glen 1, James Mukwawaya, said he sees victory in Jabu and confirmed that he is a talented and amazing worker.
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“I’ve worked with many cashiers but I’ve never met anyone like Jabu. He smiles from six to six and troubles all my customers but he makes them smile. He is a great and multi-talented man. Everyone here knows he doesn’t belong here but he is the greatest employee because although he may be tired he will never show it. He does everything for himself but he is never recognised. You have to come to the store when Jabu is here and experience how he will entertain you for yourself,” said James.
He explained that every month there is an award for the best cashier that Jabu always wins.
Let’s help Jabu ‘JesusBaby’ in his career
Jabu is looking for a recording space or a studio or equipment to use. He is looking for any form of sponsorships, from CD’s to branding as using four taxis daily is costly. Jabu can be contacted on 078 5333 481 or via email nicholasjabu5@gmail.com or check out his Facebook pages:
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